Bangladesh asks media not to broadcast Sheikh Hasina's speech ahead of first public appearance from India

Hasina has been living in India since August 5, 2024, after fleeing Bangladesh amid violent student-led protests that ended her tenure as the country's longest-serving prime minister.

She is scheduled to address a virtual event organised by the Foreign Correspondents' Club of South Asia in New Delhi on Wednesday, coinciding with the second anniversary of the 2024 uprising. Her son, Sajeeb Wazed Joy, and several other speakers are also expected to participate.

Expressing "deep concern", the Bangladesh government said media organisations should refrain from carrying the remarks of the ousted leader "showing the utmost respect for the court as well as the spirit of the July Uprising and the sacrifices of the martyrs," according to a government statement quoted by The Daily Star.

"We note with great regret that while a section of the media, inspired by the spirit of July, is complying with the court's directives, some media outlets are still broadcasting the statements of the convicted accused. The government expresses deep concern over such activities," the statement said.

Meanwhile, India distanced itself from the event.

Responding to questions during a media briefing, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said: "The interaction that you are referring to is being organized by a private media entity. The government has no involvement whatsoever in it. Neither does it endorse any views that may be expressed at the forum."

India-Bangladesh relations have remained strained since Hasina's departure, although both countries have expressed a willingness to improve ties under Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's government.

Although Hasina has delivered virtual speeches, granted interviews and participated in online events during her two-year stay in India, Wednesday's event will mark her first public appearance since leaving Bangladesh.

She is expected to be joined by her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy, former Information and Communication Technology adviser to the Bangladesh prime minister; former education minister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Nowfel; and Bangladesh Human Rights Watch General Secretary Mahammad Ali Siddique.

Hasina reiterates plans to return

In June, Hasina said she intended to return to Bangladesh this year.

Speaking to Indian broadcaster NDTV, she said: "I want to say clearly: overcoming every obstacle and every conspiracy, I will return to my country this year."

Bangladesh warns of arrest

Last month, Bangladesh Law Minister M. Asaduzzaman said Hasina would be arrested immediately if she returned to the country.

He said she could be taken into custody even before she had an opportunity to surrender before a court.

"Despite being a death penalty convict, being a Bangladeshi citizen, if she intends to surrender showing respect to the law by returning home, perhaps she will be arrested before she could do so," the minister told reporters.

"Whenever she enters our territory, I will enforce the authority that the law has reposed upon me," he added.

The minister acknowledged that Hasina, as a Bangladeshi citizen, has the right to return but said legal proceedings would follow.

Passport revoked

Hasina's return could also face practical challenges after Bangladesh's interim government revoked her passport following her departure in 2024.

When asked how she could return without a valid Bangladeshi passport, Asaduzzaman replied: "It is her problem, not mine."

Death sentence in absentia

In November 2025, Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal sentenced Hasina to death in absentia after convicting her of crimes against humanity over the crackdown on student protesters.

Hasina has rejected the verdict, describing it as "political vengeance dressed up as law."

International human rights organisations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have raised concerns over the fairness of the proceedings, while the United Nations human rights office has also questioned aspects of the trial.

Extradition request

Bangladesh has been seeking Hasina's extradition from India. New Delhi has acknowledged receiving Dhaka's request and has said it is "under examination."

Earlier this year, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party formed the government following the general election, with Tarique Rahman assuming office as prime minister.